Document – Turkey: Attacks on civilians condemned
Public Statement
AI Index: EUR 44/013/2011
21 September 2011
Amnesty International strongly condemns the bomb attack apparently targeting civilians in the capital city of Ankara on 20 September. According to reports, three civilians were killed and 34 injured after the explosion of a bomb planted in a car which was parked in a busy central street in the Kızılay district of Ankara. Such an attack, targeting civilians going about their daily lives can never be justified and violates the most fundamental principals of international law.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Statements by the authorities accusing the armed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of responsibility for the attack have been rejected by the group.
On the same day, another attack took place against a vehicle carrying civilians near a police school in the province of Siirt in southeastern Turkey. Four civilians were killed and two others were injured. No group has yet claimed responsibility for this attack but reports indicated that the PKK was responsible for the attack. Amnesty International condemns such indiscriminate attacks killing civilians which violate international humanitarian law.
Amnesty International calls for an immediate end to attacks on civilians. The authorities must conduct a thorough and impartial investigation and bring those responsible to justice in line with international human rights standards.